Capsule-filling mechanism.



J. P. REMINGTON.

CAPSULE FILLING MBGHAN'IVSM. APPLICATION FILED PEB. 7, 190s.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908l Z'l-C- Z s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. P. REMINGTON.

CAPSULE FILLING MBCHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. 7, 1908.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908".

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simultaneous UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIOE.

JOSEPH PEEGY REMINGTON, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASsIoNOETO REMINGTON a MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ING., or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

CAPSULE-FILLING MECHANISM. f

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

Application led February 7, 190B. Serial No. 414,706.

To all whom 'it may couccrm Be it known that I, JosEPI-I PEROY REM- INGTON, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania,

have invented certain new and useful Implurality of two-piece capsules, such as are' commonly used in medicine, may be simultaneously filled and closed.

Gelatin capsules as ordinarily used in medicine, consist of two members, a cup,

and a cap, which overlaps and closes the cup, and my invention comprises a 'cap-table for the reception and securing ofthe caps of a pluralit of capsules, and a .corresponding cup-tab' e registering with the cap-table and capable of simultaneously engaging the cups of the capsules Whose caps are secured within the cap-table, whereby all ofthe cups may be simultaneously separated from their caps, filled, compacted and closed by the proper manipulation of the two tables.

It is desirable to employ in connection with my device means for automaticall placing a plurality of capped capsules in t eir initial position in my apparatus, and also means for y ejecting .the filled capsules from the apparatus. The former of these means formsthe subject matter of a separate application, filed by me simultaneously herewith, and thev latter of these means are shown and described in connection with this application, but it will be understood that the capsule handling and filling mechanism may be employed separately from and 'irrespective of either or both the capsule placing apparatus, and the'- capsule ejecting apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is an elevation of a table embodying my invention, and adapted to receive the caps of one hundred capsules.y Fig. II, is a central longitudinal section of the same showing capsules in position therein. Fig. III, is an elevation showing ,the cap-table inverted and placed with its capsules upon a .cup-table, which is adapted to receive the cup portion of the capsules. Fig. IV, is a central longitudinal section of the same. Fig. V, is'a plan view of the samefrom above. Fig. VI, is a central longitudinal section of the tables assembled as before (but inverted), in combico Ipanying draw- -filled as the o nation with a compacting and ejecting device. FOLVII, is a lan section taken on the line VII, VII, andplooking inthe direction of the arrows in Fig. VI.

The cap table is shown in elevation in Fig. I, with capsules 'in situ and may be first' described.- It comprises four parallel similarly perforated'plates, namely, a surface late 1, a slide plate 2, a backing plate 3, an a bottom `plate 4. Each one of these four lates is accurately perforated by a lurahty ofD suitable perforations for accurate y receiving the caps of capsules. For convenience these perforations should be arranged in lines, say ten lines of ten holes each, for one or more lines may ,then be used to the exclusion of others so that onlyiso many erator may desire. The perforationsof al four plates are in precise correspondence with each other. The surface plate and the backing plate are infixed rela- `tion to each other, separated by a small interval, with their perforations in exact alinement, being so maintained by four legs 5, 5, 5, 5, upon which the table is supported. The surface plate is preferably somewhat longer than the others, as seen in Fig. II. Between the surface plate 1, and backing plate 3, is the slideplate 2, provided with perforations corres onding precisely with those of its fellows, Iut capable of a slight lateral motion in relation to them, whereby a grip orbite may be placed u on the caps of all capsules resting within t e perforatlons of the' table. For Athe purpose of controlling this sliding motion, the slide plate 2, is fitted with a shoulder 6, carrying a horizontal projecting pin 7, which passes through a lug 13, attached beneath the surface plate 1 and is pierced by a pivot 8, -Which -unites the extremities of a yoke piece 9, with a handle 10. The extremities ofthe yoke piece are formed with a cam surface 11 bearing against the .lug 13, and so shaped in relation to the axis of the pivot 8, that when the yoke is swung into its horizontal position the slide plate is drawn slightly toward the en d of the table, in opposition to the compression of a spring '12, which is interposed between the lug 13and the shoulder 6. When the yoke 9, hangs vertically as shown in the drawings, the perforations of the slide plate 2, are in precise alinement With those of the plates 1, and 3, but when the yoke piece is raised to its horizontal position, the slide plate is sufficiently moved to bring capsules may be ,los

v cam surface111, may be taken up as desired.

The bottom plate 4, is mounted 1n sliding relation to the table, the legs 5, of the table passing through slots 19, in said plate, so

that it lis capable of motion in the same direction as that of slide plate 2, but somewhat greater in extent. Normally the perforations of the bottom plate 4, are so far out of -alinement with those of the other three as to o pose to the centers of the latter perforations the partitions between the former. The bottom plate is maintained in this normal osition by means of a spring 20, centere on osts 21, 22, attached one to the lug 13, and tlie other to a lug 25, fast to the bottom of said plate 4, but the bottom plate may,

pressure in opposition to said spring ap- ,b plied either manuali or by the ejecting apparatus hereafter to e described, be thrown to the other end of its play whereby the perforations of the plate 4, will be in alinement with those of the other three lates. The

' cup table is further provided wit separating bottom plate 44. The mechanism for eifecttherethrough. Ordinarily thebottom plates 130 levers 30, 30, 30, 30, pivoted in opposing pairs at the sides of the plate, each palr being united by a cross-rod 31. These separating levers have cam surfaces' 35,. so that when they are moved manually from the horizontal osition in which they appear in Figs.- I, an II, they assist in effecting the'separation of the cup table from the cap table. Said levers ma normally be maintained in their horizonta position by the springs 32. When each carries a large number of capsule parts in Iengagement considerable force may be required to separate them.y The cup table is further provided as to its surface plate with four registering holes 33, 33, 33, 33, suitably placed and arranged so as to assist the registration not only of the cup table with the cap table, but also of the ejecting apparatus and if desired of a capsule -placing apparatus therewith. For the purpose of effecting the :registration of the cup table with the cap table, the holes 33, are provided with raised collars 34, which are received within correspending holes of the plate of the cap table.

The cup-table is in most respects a d uplication of the cap table, except that its apertures aretof a somewhat smaller diameter required to accurately receive and hold the smaller cup portions of the capsules. It too comprises four plates, to wit, a surface plate 41, a slide plate 42, abacking plate 43, and a ing the slide motion of the slide )late 42, is precisely similar to that employed in the cup table, and need not he again specifically dcscribed. llt will he noted thatthe bottom plate 44, of the cup table is situated at a greater distance below the surface of the table than is the case in the cap table, this difference being accounted for by the greater length of the cup portion ofthe ordinary capsule. rlhe cup table is provided with no separating levers. Its surface plate 41, is however, of greater width than that of the surface plate 1, of the ca table, this increased extent being usefu for the purpose of facilitating the manipulation of the material with which it is proposed to fill the capsules, and also affording a suifacejagainst vbvhich the separating levers of the cap table ear.

It is convenient to employ in connection with the arts thus descrlbed a compaoting and ejecting device which I have shown in Fig. VI. rllhis device consists of a plate 50, provided with the proper number of plungers 51, suitably attached thereto in )osition to correspond to the perforations o the )lates of the two tables. It is also provided with handles 52, and with registering studs 53, which, when the compacter is placed in proper juxtaposition to the cu table enter the registering holes 33, by whlch the tables themselves are maintained in proper alinement. These studs are surrounded with sliding 'collars 54, and by coiled springs 55, interposed between the plate and the collar, so that when the ejector is placed above the table in position for the studs to pass down through the registering holes 33, the collars resting on the surface plate of the table will cause thecoiled spring to sustain the weight of the ejector so that its plungers only-descend through the apertures of the plates when sufficient manual pressure is exerted upon the ejector from above. The plate 50, is cut awa along the lines 56, 56, in order to accommo ate the legs of whichever inverted table is uppermost and prevent them from interfering with the downward motion of the ejector. PThe ejecting apparatus is further provided with a depending key 60, having at its lower edge two mcline cam surfaces 61, 62. This key is-for pur oses of safety and for the manipulation of t e bottom plates 4, and 44. The bottom plate 4, has a projection 63, at one end provided with an aperture 65, having its inner edge adapted to co-aet with the cam surface 62. The bottom plate 44, has a projection 66, at one end provided with a notch 67, having its inner edge adapted to co-act with cam surface 61. Silrface plates 1, and 41, are also provided with registering apertures 68, having their sides in line with the sides of. a erture 65, and notch 67 `and adapted to alow key 60, to pass the operation of the device, except when the ejectlng device is to be used for capping'the ca sules or for ejecting purposes. l

hen about to cap the capsule it is im? ortant that the bottom plate 44, should iiave its apertures in precise alinement wlth the other apertures of the two tables, andl after the capsules arey capped, the apertures in the bottom plate 4, should be put 1n pre'- oise alinement with the other apertures of the two tables in order that said capsules may be ejected.. This alinement may be effected manually, but as mistakes may thus be made, I have rovided the devices just described' by Whlch when the ejector is drawny down the cam surface 61, on the end of key 60, automatically pushes bottom plate 44, into alinement and the capsules arecapped; and upon the further downward movement of said e'ector the cam surface 62, automatically pus es bottom plate 4, into alinement,y

thus allowing the ca sules to be ejected. V

I- will now descri e the operation of the parts hitherto identified z-At the beginning` of the operation of filling a number .of'capsules, the captable isset upright on its legs, and Within its apertures are p' that the cap portion, andnot the cup portion, shall be lowermost resting upon the bottom plate 4. The operation o thus inserting .the capsules in posltion within the table may be performed manually, or it may be performed automatically by a special ca su e-placing a paratus invented. by me, an tliie subject matter -of another a plication which I am filinr simultaneously` erewith.'

lWhen the capsu es are in lace in the cap plate, as seen 1n Figs. I, and'. I, the handle 10, 1s elevated, moving the sliding plate 2, to a sufficient extent to firmly gri every one of the caps and hold it-within its seat in the table againstany force which may be applied to remove the cupfrom the cap. The cap table is: then inverted and placed upon` the cup table with registration of the apertures '33, 33, causing the cup of every capsule to 'enter its lproper seat within the cu table. This com ination is illustrated in Flgs. III. and IV. The hand leverof 4the cu table is then raised to horizontal position, t us moving the slide plate so as to gri all of the cu s and hold them firmly within t eir seats in t e v lcup table.

The tables are now 'se arated, which operation may be facilitated y using the separatinlg levers 30, and as a result of the separation, al of the cups will be se arated from their caps each being'held wit in the seats of their respective tables. The edges ofthe cupswill projectconsiderably above the surfaceof the cup table,'but by temporaaced as manyA capsules as are to be filled, care being taken' which forms rily.. loosening the grip of theslide late 42, b

its fhand lever, they may all be mlinually de) pressed lwithin their seats until they rest' upon the bottom plate with their ed es flush with the surface of the table, when t e hand lever is again moved to grip the cups in place. The filling of allthe cups may now be performed either manually or by means of any well known llin apparatus by which an equal fractional c arge ofa given substance `may ,be placed within each one of. the entire serlesof cu s. lIf the filling substance is a powder it 1s often desirable to compact it -within the cup,'land for this pur ose the ejector may be used by simply p acing it a ove the cup table and pressing it down momentarily with sufficient force to drive its plungers into the cups to effect the compaction. lThe cap table is now again placed in inverted positlon directly over the cup Vtable with its charged cups and the two, without changin their relatlve osition, inverted so as to brlng the cu tablb uppermost. It is now necessary to st drive each one of the filled cups down into its ca and then eject the filled capsule.. For t is purpose the hand-levers ofthe cu table and cap table are turned to loosen t e slide'plates 2,' and 42, and release each one of the cups and ca s from its grip. The ejector is then' laced 1n position over the combined tables, t e entire a paratus as thus assembled being shown in igs. VI, and- VII: Moderate pressure upon the e'ector in this Vposition drives each one of thefillled cups down' into its cap, the requisite movement of the bottom plate 44, being secured bythe action of. the depending cam surface 61as it passes through the plate 44'.

The parts are shown in this position in Fig.

apertures into alinement with all of the a-per-A tures above it whichcontain the capsules.

-Under these, circumstances, the filled capsules are wholly unsupported lbeneath and the further downward motion of the plungers drives them down and out of the apertures so that they fall under the ca table, the entire operation being thus com eted.

kHaving thusl describe my invention, I claim 1'. In a capsule filling a paratus, the combination of a plurality o parallel and similarly perforated (plates, the apertures of which are adapte to register, one of said plates normally having its apertures out` of registry'with those of said other plates and acting as a support for o ne end of the capsules; and means for moving said plate to alineits apertures with those of sald other plates.

V2. In a capsule filling apparatus, the comtures ada ted to receive capsule members;

binatior'rof a plurality of. parallel and similarly perforated plates with apertures ada ted to receive capsule members; means or moving one` of'said plates out of alinement to grip the Vcapsule members resting within the apertures; another similarly perforated late normally ,having its apertures out of a inement with those of sald plurality of plates and srrplaced in parallel relation thereto as to act as a support for one end of the capsules and means for moving said supportin plate tow aline its apertures with those of sai other lates.

3. n a capsule filling apparatus, the

f combination a perforated plate with apertures adapted to receive capsule members;

another similarly perforated late normall having its apertures out of a inement the first mentioned plate and so placed 1n parallel relation to it, that ca sulemembers resting within the apertures o the first plate rest with their bottoms on the second mentioned late, while their edges are flush with the su ace of the firstmentioned plate; and means formovin'g the .second mentioned plate so that its apertures are in alinement with those of the first mentioned plate, whereby the caplsule members in the one may pass throu h t e perforations of the other, substantial y as described.

l4. In a capsule filling apparatus, the com.- bination of a perforated plate with aperanother slmilarly perforated late normall having its apertures out of a inement wit the first mentioned plate and so placed in parallel relation to it, that ca sule members restingwithin the apertures o the first plate rest with their bottomsron the second mentioned plate, while their edges are flush with the surface of the first mentioned late; meansfor vmoving -the second mentloned plate sothat its apertures are in alinement with those of the first mentioned plate, whereby the capsule members in the one may passthrough the perforations of the other an ejector-.with plungers corres ending to each one ofthe apertures 0f the p ates; and means whereby assaid lungers are passed through the apertures o the plates both plates are.

automatically 'maintained in alinement so that capsules or plungers may pass throughl thea erture's of both.

5. a capsule filling a paratus, the combination of two tables each rality of, parallel and similarly perforated pl,ates,'the apertures of which register and are adapted each to receive a` capsule member; means for sliding one plate in each table sufiicientl out of alinement to grip the capsule mem ers resting within the a ertures;

and fmeans for supporting the en s of thel capsule members when Athe grip Aon said members has been released,

fitted with a plu-- 6. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of two capsule p ates with registering'apertures adapted to receive the one the larger and the other the smaller of the members of a capsule; means for grippingvthe capsule members within their respective plates; and means for supporting` the ends of both the capsule members when the has been released.

7. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of two rectilinearly detachable capsule plates with registering apertures adapted to receive the one the larger and the other the smaller of the members of a capsule; means for gripping within their respective plates; together with a pair of levers for separating the two plates.

8.. In a capsulefilling apparatus the combination of two rectilinearly detachable capsule plates with registering apertures adapted to receive the one the larger and the other the smaller of the members of a capsule; means for gripping theV capsule members within their respectlve plates; and means for supportin the caplends of said capsule members, toget er wit means for eiecting from the plates capsules formedby the combination of the capsule members contained within the corresponding a ertures of the plates.

9. In a capsule fil ing apparatus the combination of two rectilinearl detachable tables each fitted with a plura 't of parallel and similarly perforated plates, t e apertures of which register, and are adapted each to receive a capsule member; means for sliding one plate in each table sufficiently out of alinement to grip the capsule members resti,

grip thereon the capsule members ing within the apertures; means for separatmembers 10. In a capsule filling a paratus, the cornbination of two tables eac fitted with a plurality ofparallel and similarly perforated plates, the apertures of which register and are adapted each to receive a capsule member; means for sliding one plate in each table sufficientl out of alinement to grip the capsule me'm ers resting within the apertures; means for separating the twotables; and means for compacting the contents of the separated capsule members in lone of said tables.

11. 'In a capsule fillin'ga paratus, the combination of two tables eac fitted with a plurality of parallel and similarly perforated plates, the apertures of which register and are adapted each to receive "a capsule member; means for sliding one plate in each table sufiicientl out of alinement to grip the capsule mem ers resting within the apertures; means\for separating the two tables; and means ada ted to compact the contents of either of le capsule members when said tiables'are separate-d` and to eject thel filledV capsules when the tables are together. v

" 12, In a capsule filling a paratus, the combination of two tables eac fitted with a plura-lity of parallel .and similarly perforated plates, the aplertures of which re ister and are adapted eac to receive a capsu e member; a bottom plate in each table similarly perforated as the first mentioned plates of its table, but normallly having its apertures out of registry with t ose of said other plates; and means for moving first one and then the other of said bottom plates into falinement with said other plates.

13. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of two tables each fitted with a plurality of parallel andA similarly perforated plates, the apertures of which register and are adapted each to receive a capsule member; a bottom plate in eacho table similarly erforated as the first mentioned plates of lts table, but normally having its apertures out of registry with those of said other plates; and means comprising a key having two cam surfaces for engaging said bottom plates, whereby first one and then the other of said lbottom plates may .be brought into alinement with said other plates.

14. In a capsule filling a paratus, the combination of two tables eac fitted with a plurality of parallel and similarly perforated plates, the apertures of which register and are adapted each to receive a capsule member, the surface plate of one of said tables bein provided with a plurality of registering ho es; and the surface plate of the other of Vsaid tables being provided With raised collars adapted to enter said registering holes; and an ejecting and packing device provided vWith posts for enteringinto said registering holes. y

1'5. 'In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of a table fittedwith a pluralityV of parallel and similarly perforated plates, the

apertures of which are adapted to register and each to receive a capsule member; means for supporting the ends 'of the capsule members; and means comprising entering plungers located .corresponding'to said apertures `'for compactmg the contents of the capsule members held in said table.

16. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination with a table provlded With means for holding a number of ca sule members,

and means for supporting t e ends of the capsule members; of a packing devicearranged'to be placed above said table, and

comprising plungers corresponding in location to that of said capsule members, to pack the contents of said members.

' 17. In a capsule filling ap aratus, the combination of two tables each fitted with means for holding a number of capsule members and A with means for` supporting the ends of said members; a packing and ejecting device arranged to be placed above one of said tables to pack the contents of the capsule members held thereby, and to force the cap and cup members together'when said tables are placed in juxtaposition and thereafter ejecting the capsules.

18. In a capsule filling ap aratus, the comment with those of sald parallel plates.

19. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of two tables each fitted with a plurality of parallel and similarly perforated plates, the apertures of which are adapted to register and receive a capsule member; a packing and ejecting device adapted to be placed above said tables and comprising a set of plungers located correspondingly to the apertures in said tables; and means for normally'maintaining said plungers in raised position. e

20. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of two tables, each fitted with alplu rality of parallel and similarly perforated plates, the apertures of which are adapted to register and receive a capsule member; a packing and ejecting device adapted to be placed above said tables and comprising a set of plungers located correspondingly to the apertures .in said tables; a plurality of supporting pins for said device adapted to enter corresponding erforations in the surface plates of said talbles; and supporting springs surrounding said pins to normally mamtaln said plungers in raised position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this fifth day of February, 1908.

JOSEPH PEROY REMINGTON.

Witnesses:

JAMES H.v BELL, E. L. FULLER'roN. 

